ETYM Old Fren. douagiere, from douage dower. Related to Dower.
A widow holding property received from her deceased husband.
Woman with title, etc., deriving from deceased husband.
The style given to the widow of a British peer or baronet.
She may take the style of “Dowager Countess of Blankshire” (so as not to be confused with the wife of the current holder of the title); alternatively she may take the style of “Mary, Countess of Blankshire” (although this is the style also used by divorced wives of peers).